Florida man accused of leaving infant son alone in hot car while he shopped

Brian Epstein arrested on child neglect charges

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A 39-year-old Ormond Beach man was arrested on allegations of leaving his 2-month-old alone in a hot car while he shopped for balloons and a plant.

Brian Epstein was arrested Tuesday in Daytona Beach on child neglect charges.

According to the Daytona Beach Police Department, a Home Depot employee called police around 3:50 p.m. after discovering the infant alone inside the car, which he was looking at because it had a "for sale" sign on it.

"It was God calling, because for him to see that sign and go over to that car," said store manager Shelly Rock.

Police said the child was hot but did not have to be taken to a hospital.

Epstein told police that he was in Home Depot for about 10 minutes before returning to his car, which had the windows rolled up, officials said.  Epstein said he had been assisting with the birth of a friend's child and went to a store to buy some balloons before going into Home Depot to purchase a plant, according to police.

He said he took the child with him into the first store but forgot to take him out of the car when he went into Home Depot, according to police.

"He said that he was tired, he forgot. That he put the pacifier in the baby's mouth and he got allet and he forgot to get the baby out," said Jimmie Flynt of the Daytona Beach Police Department.

Epstein was arrested, and the child was handed over to his mother, said police, who added that the Florida Department of Children and Families was contacted about the incident.

Home Depot will give out the Legends award, a prestigious award for employees who do outstanding acts of heroism.


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